The issue of the Turkish threats for the settlement of Famagusta as well as other issues concerning the Municipality of Famagusta were brought to the table in a meeting that the General Secretary of AKEL had today with the Mayor of Famagusta Simos Ioannou and members of the Municipality.
"We have exchanged views and opinions on how this situation could be dealt with and our view is that the Turkish threats could be dealt with effectively if and when substantive negotiations were resumed with the aim of reaching an agreement as soon as possible. . "But an agreement, which will be based on the agreed framework and not on any other basis", said Mr. Kyprianou in his statements.
And of course, in order for the negotiations to resume, he continued, it is important for the Turkish side, with their resumption, to end any challenges, whether they concern the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus or the city of Famagusta.
"We have had an exchange of views on what had been proposed in the past regarding the Municipality of Famagusta. "We insist that what should dominate the efforts of all of us is the implementation of the relevant United Nations resolutions of 550 and 789 which provide for the return of legal residents and owners under the administration of the United Nations," he said.
As AKEL, he noted, we will continue to support the effort of the Municipality to solve the problem of the city of Famagusta even before the solution of the Cyprus problem, knowing of course how difficult it is for something like this to happen.
"We also discussed the issues that have arisen after the recent meeting of the Union of Occupied Municipalities. It is also our strong belief that the Municipality of Famagusta is entitled to lead the Union of Occupied Municipalities. "It is a symbolic city in terms of efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem and we believe that in such cases any partisan expediencies do not fit," he added.
Mr. Kyprianou assured the Mayor and the other members of the delegation that AKEL will always be by their side in the fight for the promotion of the interests of the Municipality of Famagusta.
For his part, the Mayor of Famagusta, Simos Ioannou, said that a useful exchange of views took place regarding the issue of Famagusta and the Cyprus issue in general.
"AKEL has always been next to the Municipality of Famagusta. We fully agree with the outline of the solution to the Cyprus problem. "As for our views on the negotiations, we think that a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem will help, or even the start of talks, will be an obstacle to Turkey's plans to settle in Famagusta," he said.
He expressed the belief that the actions taken by Turkey lately with a joint effort of the Municipality of Famagusta, the parties and the Government can be partially prevented because, above all, as he said, should be the start of talks that will take place in December. "We hope that they will succeed, to have a good result because the total solution to the Cyprus problem is no other, it is the bi-zonal bi-communal federation without hesitation," he added.
He said that they informed about the efforts they are making lately with meetings abroad, in the European Union and with various ambassadors. "Soon we will have a meeting with the American ambassador, we have met other ambassadors of the Security Council. "In Great Britain a few days ago there was a delegation of the Municipality", he added.
We hope, he continued, that these efforts to convince foreigners that the Famagusta issue is clear are based on the Summit decisions and the Security Council decisions of 550 and 789.
"We hope that the return of the besieged city of Famagusta is not a matter of Famagusta, it is an issue that exists in the UN resolutions and we hope that soon not only the enclosed city will be returned but a solution to the Cyprus problem will help the whole Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots ", concluded Mr. Ioannou.